About Us
We founded EMPLÉATE in 2023 as a way to contribute our unique backgrounds and skillsets to our two home communities, Central Washington and Western Guatemala.
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Co-Founder/Co-Director
Adriana has worked in the nonprofit sector where she gained experience in program management, fundraising, international event planning, and visa applications. She went through the nonimmigrant visa process herself in 2020-2022 and is now a U.S. permanent resident. She has a Bachelors Degree in International Relations from the Universidad Rafael Landivar in Guatemala. She is from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and lives currently in Okanogan county. Adriana can be reached at adriana@empleateusa.com
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Visa Specialist
Born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, María graduated with a degree in intercultural education. She has closed courses for her degree in law at the Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala.
She interned with the Justice of the Peace for the Municipality of Zunil, Quetzaltenango and currently works as a teacher. She assists part time at Empléate as a visa specialist.
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Assistant
Andrea Judith de Paz Hernández was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Andrea is currently finishing her degree in Legal and Social Studies with a specialization in Human Rights at the Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala. She interns at the Crime Victims Attention Unit in Quetzaltenango and works part-time as an assistant at Empleate.
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Co-Founder/Co-Director
Galen worked in H-2A compliance for the WA Employment Security Department. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala working on youth skilling projects from 2016-2019. Prior to joining the Peace Corps, he managed operations for a shelter for immigrant families owned by the Catholic Diocese in Tucson, Arizona. He holds an M.A. in Public Affairs from Princeton University and a B.A. with honors in International Relations from Brown University. He is a native of Okanogan county, WA. Galen can be reached at galen@empleateusa.com
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Case Coordinator
Jenniffer is a lawyer with a Master's Degree in Constitutional Law from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. She has a solid background in public administration and has worked with international organizations, developing expertise in managing administrative procedures and acquiring broad legal experience in diverse areas. She is passionate about helping people access temporary employment opportunities abroad. Jenniffer can be reached at jenniffer@empleateusa.com.
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Visa Specialist
Amparo is a Maya K’iche' woman from the highlands of Guatemala. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design from John Brown University and a Master's in International Relations from Westminster University. She has worked on several projects, mostly in coordination positions, with the latest being at Cultural Survival, an Indigenous-led organization. She assists part-time at Empléate as a Visa Specialist. She may be contacted at amparo@empleateusa.com
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Visa Specialist
Born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Carlos graduated with an associates degree in accounting and economics from the Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala. He worked in data entry for Guatemala’s Election Tribunal. He currently works as assistant budget analyst for the Ministry of Education of Quetzaltenango and helps out part time with Empléate as a visa specialist.
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Case Coordinator
Emilsa worked for a non-profit organization in Chimaltenango for five years, where she gained experience working with vulnerable communities. In 2021, she was awarded a scholarship to study English, American culture, and international studies during the fall semester at the University of Central Missouri.
In 2023, she began working with the H-2 visa program in the public sector. She currently works full-time as a case coordinator at Empléate USA. Emilsa can be reached at Emilsa@empleateusa.com